PREVIEW GAME #45 Washington @ Canadiens (April 20, 2013)

…..’This is the Canadiens final home game of the year. ‘Their home record is 14-6-3; a .704 win percentage through 23. Through last season’s entire 41 game home schedule the Canadiens won only 16 games.

…..The final three Canadiens games will be on the road. The only time in the 96 year history of the NHL the Canadiens finished a season with 3 straight road games was the 44 game schedule of the 1926-27 season, (Boston, NY Americans and Toronto). (George Hainsworth’s rookie year -14 shutouts; Top scorers -Howie Morenz and Aurel Joliat)

…..Both teams had streaks ended on Thursday. – Washington lost 3-1 to Ottawa Thursday ending an eight game winning streak. The Canadiens edged TampaBay 3-2 at the Bell Centre to end a three game losing streak.

…..The Canadiens have lost four of their last six games. This will be their fifth game in eight nights.

…..Brayden Holtby will make his 5th straight starts for the Capitals. Michal Neuvirth started the other two games this season. In eight career starts against the Canadiens he is 5-2-0.

….In their respective careers Holtby and Neuvirth have combined for a 4-0-0 record at the Bell Centre.

…..Carey Price has one win of his last six starts vs. Washington. Including playoffs he is 1-5-2 against the Capitals with a 3.58GAA. He has lost his last 5 against them,.

…..In his 11 appearances since March 23rd, Price has been on a roller coaster with a 4-7-0 record and a 2.97GAA and an .898 save%. Over that stretch he has a shutout, 2 1-goal games. He has also been pulled three times. . In his last 5 games, he has a .851 save percentage and a 4.89 GAA.

…..The last four games Canadiens penalty killers have given up 6 goals on 20 shorthanded situations.

…..Montreal is one of only three Eastern Conference teams against whom the Capitals have failed to score a power play goals (0-for-5). They have the league’s number one power play at 25.3%. (Canadiens rank 4th). Washington has not gone more than 12 power-play opportunities without scoring a goal.

…..Washington has scored two or more power play goals in nine of their 44 games. The Canadiens 11 times in 44 games.

…..Over the last 17 regular season meetings with the Canadiens the Capitals are 12-3-2. The Capitals swept all four games last season.

…..In their last seven games at the Bell Centre Washington is 6-0-1 including 6 straight wins and a stretch of three consecutive shutout wins that ended at 232:16 April 9th (Lars Eller). The last time the Canadiens beat the Capitals on home ice was Jan. 10, 2009.

….The Capitals started the season with a 2-8-1 record. In the 33 games since they are 22-10-1.

….After 11 games Alex Ovechkin had 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points. In his next 33 games – 20 goals, 13 assists and 33 points. He leads the NHL with 15 power play goals.

….Andrei Markov in 34 games vs. Washington has 1 goal and 18 assists and is plus 3.

….P.K Subban has one assist in nine career games against Washington.

……Galchenyuk’s season – Six of his nine goals scored at the Bell Centre. Overall he is 6-11-17 at home against 3-4-7 on the road (21 games). Plus-9 at home, plus-2 on the road. Points in his last five games ( 4-2-6), plus-1 overall. Two assists against Washington April 9th.

….Raphael Diaz returns to the lineup after missing 25 games with a concussion when he was checked by Jacob Silfverberg of the Senators February 25th. Five-on-five he is expected to be paired with Andrei Markov and with Yannick Weber on the power play’s second wave.

….In the 16 games since Marcus Johansson was placed on the left wing with Niklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin the line has a combined 25 goals and 39 assists (Johansson 4g, 12ass; Ovechkin 18g, 8ass; Backstrom 3g 19ass)

….The Canadiens are 12-1-0 vs. Southeast Division teams this season. The only loss was the April 9th home ice loss to the Capitals.

….The Capitals have allowed 152 shots their last four games including 38 against Braden Holtby in the 3-1 loss at Ottawa Thursday.

….Since the last meeting April 9th Max Pacioretty leads the team in overall scoring (1-5-6), while Alex Galyenchuk leads in goals (four).

Season Series- Third and final meeting. Jan. 24 @Washington Canadiens-4 Washington-1 Canadiens scored the first four goals of the game, all in the second period; Plekanec & Markov 63 seconds apart plus Gionta and Gorges. Joey Crabb for Washington. Carey Price stopped 30 of 31 shots losing the shutout with 2:23 remaining Michal Neuvirth gave up four on 22 shots. @Bell Centre April 9 Washington-3 Canadiens-2. Washington scores three straight goals (Ovechkin, Fehr, Hillen) after Canadiens take 1-0 lead on Lars Eller goal. Eller narrowed it to 3-2 with 3:22 remaining. Carey Price vs. Michal Neuvirth.

Home/Away – Washington on the Road (11-10-2) Canadiens at Home – (14-6-3)

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Quite a challenge for the CH thats trying to regain their winning focus.Just hope Therrien rewards the younsters by giving them more ice time and gets his message NO EXCUSES ( and mean it ) thru to certain veteran non performers you know its obvious quys like MOOOOEN.